Read More

His main target this month remains a centre back, with the club prepared to walk away from their pursuit of Alexis Sanchez in the face of the huge financial package required to sign the Arsenal striker.

Fernandinho is on the verge of signing an extension to his contract, which expires in the summer.

But with the Brazilian set to turn 33 in May, Guardiola is looking to the future.

Fred has also been linked with United

He has been one of City’s stand out performers so far this season - but has struggled to maintain those standards for an entire campaign in past years.

Yaya Toure ended up taking over his role for large parts of the second half of last season, with Fernandinho deployed at right back.

Guardiola admits he will need to manage his game time as City continue their pursuit of the quadruple - but is confident he will remain pivotal to his plans.

“Maybe it’s happened in the past (struggling in the second half of the season),” he said. “In the second half of last season he played good, especially when he played at full-back, a position he didn’t play regularly.